Livorno 0-2 Lazio

Davide Nicola's return did not herald a change in fortunes for Livorno as they slipped to a 2-0 home defeat by Lazio in Serie A.

Nicola was handed the reins of the Tuscan outfit earlier this week after Domenico Di Carlo was sacked, returning just three months after being dismissed himself.

But a goal from Stefano Mauri and an Antonio Candreva penalty handed Lazio victory, boosting their European hopes and leaving Livorno still three points from safety with three games remaining.

Lazio nearly took the lead after only four minutes, but Mauri's volley was brilliantly saved by keeper Francesco Bardi.

At the other end Luca Siligardi shot narrowly over the bar, while Marco Biagianti's header was very well kept out by Etrit Berisha.

The visitors took the lead after 15 minutes thanks to a mistake from Bardi, who missed a cross, allowing captain Mauri to slot home.

Bardi made amends with a fine save to deny Lucas Biglia from long range and the Lazio defender then played his team into trouble by giving the ball away, but Michael Ciani produced a great tackle to halt Siligardi when he looked certain to score.

Livorno's hopes of taking anything from the game were severely dented five minutes into the second half when Leandro Rinaudo handled Candreva's cross, giving the Lazio midfielder the chance to score from the spot. He made no mistake.

Bardi kept his side just about in it with a terrific block from Ogenyi Onazi's close-range shot before again denying Candreva.